Ofcom launches 15 investigations into ‘due impartiality’ of RT news programmes

The UK’s television watchdog has launched 15 investigations into the “due impartiality” of programmes on news channel RT.

Ofcom said it had “observed a significant increase in the number of programmes on the RT service that warrant investigation” under its broadcasting code.

Separately, the parent company of Facebook, Meta, will restrict access to RT and another Russian media outlet, Sputnik, on its platforms across the European Union.

The company said it had received requests from a number of governments and the EU to take steps in relation to Russian state-controlled media on its platforms.

The Ofcom investigations relate to 15 editions of the hourly news programme that was broadcast on 27 February between 5am and 7pm, the regulator said.

Ofcom also said it expects “full co-operation” during the inquiry into RT, previously known as Russia Today. Sky News